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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Evenings feel so boring and disappointing now I'm single

21 replies

KnockingOnDiddysDoor · 18/05/2012 22:34

I had a brief relationship with a man that ended a few months ago. It wasn't a great romance - we mostly just stayed in with a bottle of wine and watched tv. He turned out to be a loser so I don't miss him much, except in the evenings. I don't think about it during the day but once dinner is over and DS is on his way to bed I feel really deflated, like I deserve some fun (not necessarily sex, just a laugh with another adult) and I'm pissed off that I won't be having any Sad. Life feels so dull.

I'm sick of puzzles and books and tv. I'm lonely and don't know how to deal with it. I like being single, it's just this time of night that I miss having some male company.

Do other single parents feel like this?

OP posts:
MrsWorrier · 18/05/2012 22:43

Yes!! Exactly like that! Read my thread 'on my own after 16 yrs' - just posted tonight coz i was feeling so lonely. It's awful but lots of people have assured me that 'one day my prince will come' - just hope so!! Don't think you're alone feeling like that coz you're not. Take care xxx

KnockingOnDiddysDoor · 19/05/2012 01:27

I've just looked at your thread and wanted to say how sorry I am about your situation MrsWorrier.

OP posts:
holmesgirl · 19/05/2012 08:31

Are you able to get a babysitter for DS so you can plan some nights out on the weekends with friends? Would help get you through the week if you had something to look forward to.

Have you tried online dating?

Can you invite friends round on an evening?

daffydowndilly · 19/05/2012 08:46

Call or skype a friend in the evening
Babysitter and start a new hobby/go out with friends
Invite a friend round
Join lovefilm or somesuch organisation and watch movies ?

CogitoErgoSometimes · 19/05/2012 09:21

You absolutely have to organise yourself a social life. It'll mean calling in babysitting favours or paying a babysitter but you have to find something sociable to do at least one evening a week. It takes a bit of effort to kick start something but once you're out there meeting people, that leads on to other connections. Good luck

ChildofIsis · 19/05/2012 09:25

I'm in the same boat, I've just started online dating and have not been bored in the evening for a week or so.
I spend most evenings chatting via message to a couple of good looking men who I may even have a date with in the near future.
I haven't had so much fun in years.

ninah · 19/05/2012 09:25

not really I am usually too knackered to want to do much
having a VERY full day definitely helps. I find it more of a problem in the holidays but I am quite a solitary person with lots of projects on the go
babysitter once a month? I meet with friends, glass of wine and chat.

KnockingOnDiddysDoor · 19/05/2012 22:07

Ninah, I try really hard to wear myself out during the day, and although it keeps my mind occupied while I'm busy, I'm a night owl and still feel like I have loads of energy in the evenings.

I would love a social life but there are so many obstacles in the way. I moved to a new area last year and haven't made any connections yet, so I have no friends to go out with and no-one available to babysit anyway.

Money is also very, very tight.

Thanks for all the ideas so far though.

I have just ordered myself a nice weekend bag from Next so I can plan a few weekends back 'home' with DS when the weather gets nicer.

I'm going to look at college courses and try and start something in September.

Thanks for the suggestion of online dating as well. I'm not ready yet but maybe soon.

OP posts:
ninah · 19/05/2012 22:23

yy to colllege course (that's how I'm so tired - I started childcare and now I'm training to be a teacher, yay!). You may get a subsided fee if you have low income, as I did when I began. It is a real opportunity to start again and find yourself. I remember I also moved to a new area and it took ages to find friends (moved to village from town - was really hard to adjust). But it happened in the end. I don't go out often, but I can, and I appreciate it all the more now it's rarer. You will get a social life back, for now try and embrace the calm ... lol
mn, dvd's - thank god for tinternet, imagine how hard it would be even 50 years ago! Good luck!

ninah · 19/05/2012 22:25

and we're in for a good summer - allegedly! get a tent? it's fun, honestly (well, it's fun when it stops ...)

KnockingOnDiddysDoor · 20/05/2012 01:40

Oh Ninah, SNAP! I have moved from city to village and I fucking hate it. I thought it would be so idyllic here but it's not, it's gossipy and small minded and boring - sorry villagers!

A college course will be difficult as ex-p (who's a good, good bloke) is starting a new job doing shifts, but we've discussed it and feel that we can rely on our families for help with childcare if he does the ferrying around (I don't drive).

I don't want or need to be out every weekend; I just need an occasion to look forward to.

OP posts:
LaBellaItaliana · 20/05/2012 01:41

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KnockingOnDiddysDoor · 20/05/2012 02:16

Oh LaBella, cheers! How civilised and sweet of you.

Now why don't you fuck off, eh?

OP posts:
LaBellaItaliana · 20/05/2012 02:19

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KnockingOnDiddysDoor · 20/05/2012 02:21

I'm sorry you had a sad childhood LaBella. Maybe it's time you got some therapy and stopped acting like a cunt?

OP posts:
LaBellaItaliana · 20/05/2012 02:26

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TapirBackRider · 20/05/2012 03:56

Reported

Luckyness45 · 07/05/2026 17:01

I've been single two years i'm 46 now, with two teenagers aged 14 and 15. My ex really hurt me emotionally with a blindsided ending, and played push pull games for ages after. I was so upset. It put me off relationships.

Instead, I decided to invest in myself. I have completed 8 qualifications in two years. Changed my career, now studying a part time psychology degree, and work part time as a counsellor and part time as a community carer - I work 4 shifts a week in care including Fri evenings, which was my trigger evening for feeling rubbish, as every Fri night I used to love as my ex would DJ and I would love watching him. Now being at work every Friday from 4pm until 9/10 pm takes away how rubbish I did feel. I also now volunteer with the Samaritans too, and just got back from a lovely few days away in London with my children.

I can't stand dating apps. I'm only going to be with someone again, if I meet them in person in a natural way, and right now I still don't feel ready when I am I believe it will happen.

Also plan to start joining some evening classes to meet new people (not for dating yet for new female friendships), did think maybe an art one, yet waiting until september as I have been too busy with work and my degree to have the time, to seek that class out yet.

Toomanyuglyplasticbins · 07/05/2026 17:06

Luckyness45 · 07/05/2026 17:01

I've been single two years i'm 46 now, with two teenagers aged 14 and 15. My ex really hurt me emotionally with a blindsided ending, and played push pull games for ages after. I was so upset. It put me off relationships.

Instead, I decided to invest in myself. I have completed 8 qualifications in two years. Changed my career, now studying a part time psychology degree, and work part time as a counsellor and part time as a community carer - I work 4 shifts a week in care including Fri evenings, which was my trigger evening for feeling rubbish, as every Fri night I used to love as my ex would DJ and I would love watching him. Now being at work every Friday from 4pm until 9/10 pm takes away how rubbish I did feel. I also now volunteer with the Samaritans too, and just got back from a lovely few days away in London with my children.

I can't stand dating apps. I'm only going to be with someone again, if I meet them in person in a natural way, and right now I still don't feel ready when I am I believe it will happen.

Also plan to start joining some evening classes to meet new people (not for dating yet for new female friendships), did think maybe an art one, yet waiting until september as I have been too busy with work and my degree to have the time, to seek that class out yet.

Edited

Zombie thread from way back in 2012 😅

ForTipsyFinch · 07/05/2026 17:09

I don’t tbh. 7 years single, if I want company I go see friends, if that isn’t possible in person for whatever reason I’ll do a video call. If I don’t want company I stay in with my scented candles and books. I find it so peaceful and relaxing, but tbh apart from a few male friends I don’t find men good company in general and I have zero desire trying to get to know new ones via dating so I think it’s a mindset thing - not saying at all wanting to date is wrong I just don’t relate to it.

ForTipsyFinch · 07/05/2026 17:10

Toomanyuglyplasticbins · 07/05/2026 17:06

Zombie thread from way back in 2012 😅

Oh damn 😂 how on earth did someone find it?!

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